Knockdown table



April 3, 1934.v G. PFLUKE KNOCKDOWN TABLE Filed Sept. 14, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 3, 1934.

G. L. PFLUKE 1,953,261

KNOCKDOWN TABLE Filed Sept. 14, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 3, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,953,261 KNOCKDOWN TABLE George Lansing Pfluke, Utica, N. Y.

Application September 14, 1932, Serial No. 633,134

4 Claims. (01. 155-124) My invention relates to a knock down table and I declare the followingto be a full, clear, concise and exact description thereof sufficient to enable anyone'skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the some, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the specification.

The object of the invention is to provide a table of the knock down variety, whereby it can be taken apart and packed in a small space or bundle for portability.

The table will be found particularly useful by autoists who carry their camping outfit with them on the running board, either when taking long trips or short trips with the picnic grounds as their destination.

The table will also be found useful for army purposes especially in maneuvers in the open country where it is necessary to carry equipment such as tables and set them up quickly.

Many other objects will be found by the user. The object of the invention will be understood by referring to the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the framework of the table showing the top indotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a section of the table top.

Fig. 3 is a detailed view showing a perspective of the seat employed looking at the underside thereof.

Fig. 4 is a detailed view somewhat enlarged showing the table with its parts detached and stacked.

Fig. 5 is a detailed view somewhat enlarged showing a perspective of one of the complementary parts of the table used in forming a box for the stacked parts of the table.

Fig. 6 is a detailed fragmentary view showing a perspective of a modified form of standard.

Fig. 7 is a detailed fragmentary view showing a perspective of another modified form of the table.

Fig. 8 is a detailed fragmentary view showing .a perspective of a still further modified form of the table.

Fig. 9 is a detail enlarged view showing a perspective of a locking plate employed.

Fig. 10 is a detail view enlarged showing a perspective of one of the leg and bracket members and connected parts.

Fig. 11 is a detail view somewhat enlarged showing a perspective of a stay rod employed.

Fig. 12 is a detail view showing a perspective of a wing nut and bolt that may be used in place of the headed bolts shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the table is built in sections, three being shown, although any number of sections may be employed. Each of the sections is detachable from the other sections and furthermore each section is made of detachable parts, whereby the whole table can be taken apart and packed in abox made by using two of the parts of the middle section 1.

The middle section 1, parts of which are used to form a box for containing all the other parts of the table as above stated comprises horizontal table top supporting rails 2, 2. Each rail is beveled at its ends as at 3, 3 and provided with shoulders 4, 4 for the reception of the respective edges 5-, 5 of a section of detachable table top 6. When table top 6 is disposed on rails 2, 2 with edges 5, 5 engaging shoulders 4, 4 of rails 2, 2 the upper surface of table top 6 will fit flush with the upper surface '7 of rails 2, 2. The means for holding table top 6 in position embodies upstanding pins 4, 4' fastened in rails 2 and adapted to engage apertures 5', 5" formed in table top 6.

Table top 6 in each instance is made of little thickness, whereby to be of relative light weight. It is made also in two sections or panels 8, 8 that are hinged together by hinges 9, 9 disposed on the-under surface of panels 8, 8. By dividing table top 6 into two panels 8, 8 and hinging the panels together, allows for folding the panels 8, 8 upon each other inparallel relation to one another, whereby tofit into the box hereinafter described. The means for supporting rails 2, 2 in elevated horizontal position for holding table top 6 in elevated position suitable for use as a dining table embodies detachable legs 10, four being used to support the two rails 2, 2 of middle section 1. Each of the legs 10 is disposed at an angle. to rails 2 and for thispurpose is beveled at its top and bottom ends to conform to the horizontal position of rails 2 and the ground.

The means for removably mounting eachof the legs 10 to rails 2 embodies plates 11, 11 which are disposed on opposite sides ,of legs 10 and fastened thereto by bolts or other means. 1 Each of the plates 11 has an open recess 12 at its upper or free end, whereby to engage in a removable manner the opposite ends of a headed bolt 13 projected through the opposite ends of rail 2.

The side seats disposed in parallel relation to each other and to the table top 6 embodies boards or seating members 15, 15 which are secured in a permanent manner to bracket members 16. Stay rods 1'7, 17 pivoted at 18 are fastened at their respective ends to bracket members 16, whereby to further aid in supporting bracket members 16 in given parallel relation to each other.

Bracket members 16 are held in removable manner to their respective legs 10, 10 by socket channel members 20, 20 which are fastened to .the lower ends of legs 10 in each instance. Moreover said bracket members 16 are held also in place by plates 21, 21 that are pivoted on bolt 22,

extending through legs 10, on opposite sides of each of legs 10. Each of the plates 21 has an open recess at its free end 23, whereby to engage the opposite ends of headed bolt 24'projected through bracket members 16.

In order to detach seats or boards 15, 15 from their relative positions to section 1, it is necessary only to turn plates 21, 21 on their pivots 22 to release the free end having socket 23 from headed bolt 24 and then raise board 15 upward by grasping it with the hands.

Each of the end sections 30, 30 is made alik one of which is now hereinafter described. Horizontal rail 2 is supported bylegs 30,30. Themeans for detachably holding said legs 30 in place embodies plates 11 as above described. In this instance however the members 31 corresponding to bracket members 16 are made integral with legs 30; Seat 33 corresponding to seat 15 is supported on cleats 34, 34 attached to the lateral surface of brackets 16 and 31 with the upper edges of said cleats flush with the upper edges 35, 35 of brackets 16 and 31. Each seat 33 is supported in this manner, in order to make provision for its fitting within the box hereinafter described. I

The means for holding each of the seats 33 in place embodies angle members 40, two of which are fastened to the under surface of each of the seats 33, adjacent each end. The free ends 41 of angle members 40, 40 engage sockets 42, 42 formed in cleats 34 contiguous to the lateral surface of bracket members 31, 31. 9

Furthermore each of brackets 31 is held in given parallel relation to each other by stay rods 45, 45. Each of the stay rods 45 is pivoted at 46' to the edge of seat 33, its opposite or free end having a recess that engages a headed nut 47 mounted to the end of the edge of bracket 31. This allows for the detachment of stay rods 45 from heads 4'7, when collapsing the table.

In order to pack the several parts of the table into a box, seat member 15 is laid upon the ground with stay rods 17, 1'? in horizontal position with the ground. One of the panels, 8, of one of the sections of table top 6 is then slid between stay rods 17, 17 and members 49, 49 attached to the lateral inside surface of brackets 16, 16 to form grooves 50, 50 until its far edge reaches the surface of seat 15. The opposite panel Sis then folded over upon the first panel, to form a bottom part of the box. There is then piled upon this bottom surface of the box, leg members 30, 30 with the bracket members 31 in opposite relation to each other. Upon legs 30, 30 are disposed seats 33, 33 and then a second section of table top 6. Upon the upper surface of this section of table top 6 are disposed rails 2. The remaining section of table top 6 is now placed in the other seat assembly with one of its panels 8 being slid into grooves 50, 50 formed as in the counterpart member mentioned above. This opposite seat assembly '15 is then placed on top of the pack thus formed with the beveled edges 56, 56 of each'bracket' rnernber 16 in contact with the beveled edges 56, 56 of the brackets 16 of the first seat 15, to complete the other two sides of the box. I I

The parts of the box are fastened together by locking plates 60, 60 which are fastened to the respective brackets 16, 16 and are provided with open slots 62 for engaging headed bolts 24, 24 mounted in corresponding positions on'the opposite brackets 16, 16 that lie adjacent when the box is completed.

In order to assemble the table, rails 2, 2 of, the

middle section are attached to legs 10 by engaging plate 11 with the headed nuts 13 and holding them in correct position whereupon brackets 16 are disposed inplace'by engaging the lower ends with socket members 20 and turning rocking plates 21 so that the recesses will engage the headed bolts 24. The table top 6 is then laid in place with its edges engaging the shoulders 4 of I rails 2.

The end sections of the table are attached then by assembling the rails 2 and legs 30 so that looking plates 11 will engage headed bolts 13; then placing seats 33 in position by disposing angle members 40 in such manner that the free ends 41 will engage sockets 42 formed between cleats 34 and the lateral surface of bracket members 16 and 31; after this the respective sections of the table top 6 will be disposed in place with their respective edges engaging the corresponding shoulders 4, 4 of rails 2, 2.

It will be observed that each of the rails 2 has shoulders 4, 4 on opposite sides, whereby as many additional sections corresponding to the end section described can be assembled at either or both ends of the table as desired.

Figure 6 shows a modification of the standards 70, and cross bar that may be used. In this instance standards '70, 70 are hinged to cross bar 80 and 81, 81 at diagonally opposite positions, whereby when they are swung upon their hinges to folded position, standards 70, 70 will lie in parallel relation to each other, occupying the width or thickness of the cross bar 80 as shown in dotted lines in'Fig. 6.

-Figure 7 illustrates another modification in which standards 85, 85 are hinged to each other at8'7. The upright bar 88 is interposed. Said upright bar 88 is divided at 89 and upper part 90 is hinged to lower part 88 at 91, whereby lower part 88 can be swung up against part 90 and lie in parallel plane therewith when in folded position of the table. Standards 85 support side seats 92, 92.

Table top 93 is made in two panels which are hinged at 94 94 to upright bar 90, whereby they can be swung down in parallel relation to their respective sides of bar 90 when table is in folded position. The outer ends of the panels of table top 93 are held in horizontal position by bars 95, 95 hinged at 96, 96 to standards 85, 85. Bars 95 have pins 9'7 extending from the ends thereof adapted to engage apertures in the panels of table top 93, whereby to hold them in upright position. Bars 95, 95 can be swung down to edges, 98 and lie in parallel planes with the standards 85.

In order to fold the table, bars 95 are first lowered against standards 85, the panels of the table top 93 are lowered against the respective sides of upright bar 90, standards 85 are moved toward each other upon their hinges 8'7 and then moved as a whole upon hinge 91, and bar 90 whereby standards 85, 85 will occupy a central position between the panels of the table top 93 and the standards will be folded within said panels. Seats 92, 92- are made removable and can be disposed between said panels when the table is collapsed. 5

In Figure 8 there is a modification showing a standard 100 upon which is hinged at 101, 101, 101, a panel 102 for supporting table top103. The standards 105, 105 for supporting seats 106. 106 are hinged at 107, 107 to standard 100 in each instance. Top 103 is made in sections or panels h n d t ge her at 108, 108.

Figure 12 shows a modification employing a wing nut and bolt which may be employed in place of the headed bolts 24 heretofore described.

Although there has been described heretofore and shown in Fig. 4 one manner of packing the parts of the table, any other suitable manner may be employed; for instance, two of the table top sections 6 may be packed together to form the bottom part of the bundle and the legs and cross bars and other parts packed thereon and by completing the pack with the remaining section of table top 6.

Having thus described my invention What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. In a knock down table, railssupporting a table top made in sections, legs extending in divergent relation, one from the adjacent end of each rail, triangular shaped brackets removably mounted on said legs, seats supported on each bracket and said elements being removably connected, whereby seat and bracket units when the whole assembly is knocked down, may be set together in reverse arrangement to form a box to house the other elements.

2. In a knock down table, rails supporting a table top, legs extending in divergent relation, one from the adjacent end of each rail, triangular shaped brackets removably mounted on said legs, seats supported on each bracket, said elements being removably connected, whereby two seat and bracket units when the whole assembly is knocked down, may be set together in reverse arrangement to form a box to house the other elements and hook means to connect said seat units together.

3 In a knock down table and chair combination, table sections being transversely connected together, each table section formed of hinged leaves supported on rails, legs extending in divergent relation, one from the adjacent end of each rail, a triangular shaped bracket on the lower end of each leg, a seat supported on each bracket and said elements being removably connected, whereby two seat and bracket units when the whole assembly is knocked down, may be set together in reverse arrangement to form a box to house the other elements.

4. In a knock down table and chair combination, an elongated table made in sections, said sections being transversely connected together, each table section formed of hinged leaves supported on rails, legs extending in divergent relation, one from the adjacent end of each rail, a triangular shaped bracket on the lower end of each leg, a seat supported on each bracket, said elements being removably connected so that two seat and bracket units, when the whole assembly is knocked down, may be set together in reverse arrangement to form a box to house the other elements, and hook means to connect the said seat units together.

GEORGE LANSING PFLUKE. 

